Charismatic Church Claims Jesus Appeared to Them ‘In Person’ at Recent Service: We Examine the Proof

Protestia ^ | May 25, 2026 | staff

[Morgana]

David Vaka is a self-styled ‘apostle,’ president of the Breakthrough Network, and head convener of the recent ROAR Leadership Summit, which he oversees with his wife, and which hosts events on how to “architect a kingdom city.”

Their promo material notes:

“The Sunshine Coast has entered a season of Apostolic and Kingdom manifestations. Prophetic promises are now being intercepted, activated, and earthed through Apostolic grace and Kingdom technology”

During a recent Pentecost service at Newlife Church (NLC), a 5-Fold Ministry church which co-pastors team Pete and Kaz Hewitt lead, they claim that “Jesus…the King of Glory Himself turned up in person.”

Furthermore, they allege Jesus moved about the room and crowned attendees with “kingly authority and power.”

This was accompanied by several pictures of the event.

When probed whether they specifically had pictures of Jesus appearing in person or a livestreamed video of the truly miraculous, marvelous event, they were less than forthcoming.

We’re sure it is.

[SaveFerris]

Matthew 24:23-27
21st Century King James Version

23 Then if any man shall say unto you,
‘Lo, here is Christ,’ or ‘there,’
BELIEVE IT NOT.

24 For there shall arise false christs
and false prophets and shall show great signs
and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible,
they shall deceive the Very Elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Therefore, if they shall say unto you,
‘Behold, He is in the desert!’ GO NOT FORTH;
or ‘Behold, He is in the secret chambers!’ BELIEVE IT NOT.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the East
and shineth even unto the West,
so shall also the Coming of the Son of Man be.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024%3A23-27&version=KJ21

[MarlonRando]

ummmmmm

no

[RoosterRedux]

Bfl

[alexander_busek]

Is anyone here claiming that Jesus couldn't have appeared at this church?

Or are they saying that they won't believe any "miraculous" apparitions without photographic / video evidence?

Regards,

[Morgana]

Well it’s like this. I did not see Jesus in the pics nor was JC available for comment.

[dayglored]

Re: "We Examine The Proof"

Please forgive me a bit of skepticism here. I do not understand the use of the word "Proof" in this context of Jesus appearing in the gathering.

1. First, to come up with "Proof", you have to have "Evidence". So far, none has been presented except verbal declaration, i.e. witness testimony, of the presence of Jesus.
2. Then you could propose an "Explanation" for the Evidence. In a scientific endeavor this would be a hypothesis or possibly a theory. None is given here, it's just assumed that the presence is sufficient.
3. Then you could test the "Explanation". But Faith does not admit of testing, indeed: Deuteronomy 6:16: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test", also Luke 4:12: "Jesus answered him, 'It is said: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test"". So no testing is done.
4. So what is a "Proof"?

There is no Proof because there is nothing that can be proven. Faith does not require Proof, indeed it has no place for Proof. Either you believe or you don't.

So perhaps someone can explain the title's use of "Proof", I don't get it.

[Getready]

Jesus did say that where two or three are gathered in his name, he will be there also. So, yeah it is possible for his spiritual presence But no physical manifestation. We will have that when,as promised, Christ physically returns.
Sounds like another scam pastor, or seriously confused pastor...

[alexander_busek]

Well it’s like this. I did not see Jesus in the pics nor was JC available for comment.

So, you are demanding photographic / video evidence or a recorded interview.

Understood!

Regards,

[alexander_busek]

So perhaps someone can explain the title's use of "Proof", I don't get it.

The article is demanding "proof" in the same sense that a modern court of law would demand robust, forensic-level evidence and a coherent, logical explanation when it comes to assessing the reality of any other mundane claim.

I leave it to our fellow FReepers to decide if that is appropriate.

Regards,

[Celtic Conservative]

Some of these charismatic denominations are just plain embarrassing. They’re like the seed that landed on shallow, rocky soil. They bloom for a time, then they wither and die.

CC

[dayglored]

> I leave it to our fellow FReepers to decide if that is appropriate.

That was sort of my point, I think it's completely inappropriate to demand photographic or similar Proof.

The ancients believed in God, or gods, to explain things they saw or experienced that they could not explain. Most of those have modern explanations and so those deities are generally out of business.

But I believe in God because there are still many things I observe that I cannot explain. Two examples:

• The existence of the observable universe shown by the Hubble, Webb, and other instruments. As a child I believed that the universe was "out there"; the wonderful photos inform me, but my belief preceded them.
• The fact that when I get a cut on my finger it heals and in a short time there is no more bleeding, and most times, no lasting scar. I know enough biology to understand the scientific explanations for cellular healing and DNA, etc. but the existence of living tissue has no fundamental explanation, and I don't need one.

Those two, and a host of other, observations, are sufficient to assure me that God exists and that I am part of a miraculous Creation. That Faith requires no Proof. It fills me with joy every day.

[LilOlLady]

I certainly believe in miracles but...

“Furthermore, they allege Jesus moved about the room and crowned attendees with “kingly authority and power.”

Kingly authority and power? What does that even mean?

[Sirius Lee]

I'm assuming power to heal, cast out demons, speak in a way that seems authoritative....

I wasn't there. I don't know.

[Cronos]

I would think it means that HE acted with “kingly authority and power.”

[Skwor]

Yes, and I also believe it could not be him in the manner they declared, specifically because of Matthew 24:23-27 as stated earlier.

Pictures are not required, what is required is his return as announced in Matthew 24:23-27.

Christ absolutely does manifest himself spiritually to believers but as for his earthly return the Bible gave very clear prophecy on that.

[whitney69]

Knew they shouldn’t have legalized MJ.

wy69

[Hyman Roth]

Yeah and I slept with Sydney Sweeney last night.

[MotorCityBuck]

That’s nothing.
He cut my grass yesterday.

[TheThirdRuffian]

The return of Jesus as stated in Revelation is not going to be subtle or to a select few.

And we are warned that many will fake it.

So, given I don’t see any lions laying down among my cattle, I am comfortable in concluding that this is bogus.